What network do i need ?....

[dread base]

Hello All,
I have 2 Computer and 1 laptop in my house, i want to set a proper network up. For example, I set my old pc which is a Pentium 4 2.8Ghz as a server. I want this pc to store all my mp3's movies and some other media files. I want it so i can acess the hard drive with the files on from any of the pc's in my house. I have a wireless router which i can plug my pc's through ehternet and the laptop is wireless.
It would also be helpful if i could set it up with a password so people need a password to connect to my network or to get acess to the hard driver or similar.
I have seen a network which has all 3 computers on windows 2000 pro. And the computer which has all the files on it has 2 network cards. It has the modem connected into one card and the other card is connected to the router.

The computer which i want for it to have all the files on it is running Windows XP Home. I can install windows server 2003 if needed.

The gaming pc has Windows XP Pro.

The laptop has Windows XP Home.

If some one could give me a detailed guide how to do this it would be very appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[fluiduk]

From what you are saying I see no reason why you should make it that complicated.

Just use a peer to peer network. Give each machine a static ip and set up shares on the P4 file server.

You could even install nas lite on it. Give it a google, its a call program that runs from a floppy and turns your spare machine into a dedicated NAS box

Aaron

 

[MAllen]

One area that will cause you problems is having XP Home on your "Server". This OS is pretty limited as to how it allows you to setup file shares. So as long as you are fine to stay within those limitations, it shouldn't be too bad.

XP Home will only allow you to setup file sharing in "Shared Documents" or "My Documents". This will probally be enough for your simple requirements.

If you want to take the next step up, use 2003 Server. This will then allow you to share any folder you like from anywhere. And then restrict the users who can login and change items.

All depends on how far you want to go.


First thing you need is to sort out the cabling. Personally I would purchase a router and use this to connect to your broadband. Makes like much more secure and simplfies your network setup. An ADSL Firewall/Router will allow you to connect all of your PCs to it without exposing your Server to hackers in the outside world. For the £60 cost, it will sve you a LOT of hassle.

Each router comes with four or six ethernet sockets which allow you to connect your various PCs. The Router will then use DHCP to allocate IP Addresses to each PC. And also allow each PC to safely surf the web.


The rest of this "howto" will need to be done step by step....